We’re officially back!
The Denver Broncos returned to the practice field today for their first of two acclimation/ramp up practices before training camp officially kicks off on Friday. This was a lighter non-padded practice allowing the players to work themselves back into action before things get going later in the week. Also, due to fans not being present, the media was still following offseason rules, so the details of what went down are also light.
In today’s camp report, we have Bo Nix returning to the practice field and doing team drills for the first time since his injury. We also have Jonathon Cooper present AND practicing fully, comments and quotes from head coach Sean Payton on the matter, Payton saying wide receiver Jaylen Waddle can walk on water, injury updates, news and notes, quotes, and more!
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Bo Nix practices fully
As expected, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was a full participant during today’s acclimation practice. According to reports, Nix looked sharp out there, didn’t show any signs that he was still dealing with his ankle injury, and took part in team drills for the first time since he suffered a broken ankle vs. the Bills in the Divisional Round.
Again, this was expected, but seeing Nix out there practicing fully should put any remaining concerns about his health and ankle to rest moving forward.
Payton was asked about Nix and if he can take that “next step” in year three with the Broncos. He snapped back at the question a little bit by saying the next stuff is “cliche” and noted that he’s coming off a 14-game win season and a good season overall. He did add he thinks that he will continue to improve and that there are areas on the team that can improve to help him be better as well.
“The next step is kind of cliché. He just finished winning 14 games and having a really good season. Do I think he’s going to continue to improve? Yes. I’m pleased with the shape he’s in. The timeline relative to everything we’ve discussed injury-wise is falling into place. It’s good to have him back out there in the team periods. I think there are certain areas for us offensively that can help with the quarterback, a consistent run game throughout the year. There are some things that we can do to help him, so we’re off and getting started.”
The expectations are pretty high for Bo Nix in year three, and if he plays like he did late season for the Broncos, we are going to be in very good shape this season. Nix is healthy, has Jaylen Waddle, and an improving team around him, and the sky is the limit for the Broncos franchise quarterback.
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Jonathon Cooper is present and practiced fully
Probably the biggest storyline for the Broncos heading into training camp was about edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, his ongoing legal case, and his future with the team. It was reported yesterday that Cooper did indeed report to camp with the rest of the Broncos veterans, and today he was a full participant during today’s opening practice.
Despite that, Cooper’s future is clouded by a potential court case down the road and has an arraignment hearing scheduled for August 31st. That falls in between the end of the preseason for the Broncos and the start of the regular season, so things remain up in the air for the Broncos team leader and starting edge rusher.
Payton was asked about the Cooper situation, and he told reporters that they are staying the course with the league, as he said prior, and doing what they have been advised to do. However, he stated that Cooper has been fantastic working away from the building.
“We’re staying the course with the league. We’re staying the course with league protocol, club protocol relative to what we’re advised to do. He’s been fantastic working away from the building, and we’ll continue to do that and monitor it. We’re supportive, and yet very much aware of the seriousness of these types of things. Pretty much what I said in the spring, there’s a schedule and a course to this, and that’s what we have to follow.”
As we know, Cooper completed a counseling and wellness program last month, which he likely needed to do before returning to the team. Payton commented on that and said that “we’re proud of the work he did last month” and that he is fully supportive of him right now.
“We’re proud of the work he did these last, call it month and a half. It wasn’t easy, and it’ll continue to be a challenge. We’ll see where it goes. [I am] fully supportive of him right now as we gather all the information and then we go from there.”
These comments by Payton are much more positive than the ones right after his second arrest. His future with the team seemed in doubt, but with him completing the counseling and now returning to the practice field and participating fully, it certainly seems like he will be part of the team’s future.
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Cooper is still going through the legal process, but when Payton was asked if he read about Cooper’s charges, Payton said he had, but did not want to comment until the process is completed. He added he believes the situation should be finalized “sooner rather than later”. So, it’s possible some sort of settlement could be in the works, but we shall see.
Regardless of the outcome, Cooper is still likely looking at some sort of punishment from the league, which could include a suspension. So, we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it. In the short term, it sure seems like Cooper’s standing with the team is in a much better place than we all assumed heading into camp.
Sean Payton says WR Jaylen Waddle can ‘Walk on water’
The Broncos’ biggest offseason addition was when they made a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire explosive wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Head coach Sean Payton has been very upfront and complimentary of Waddle since trading for him, and that continued today when he said Jaylen Waddle could “walk on water”.
Payton was asked what stood out about Jaylen Waddle, and he had a bit of a biblical response to the question. He told reporters that there are certain prototypes at every position, but then there are the handful that can “walk on water,” and Waddle is one of those players due to how he runs, stops, and his competitive instincts.
“There are certain prototypes at every position, and then there is that one where if they can walk on water… He’s one of those players relative to how he runs, how he stops and his competitive instincts. There is a clear vision for him. I think the knowledge we had with all the other pieces relative to a trade like that was important.”
Waddle has been getting rave reviews all spring from coaches, players, and media, and that continued today. According to reports, Waddle looked smooth, quick, and unguardable at times out there, and his speed really stands out. Today was also the first time he was able to practice fully with quarterback Bo Nix, and the two have seemed to hit it off quickly and are showing early chemistry. That figures to grow as camp proceeds, but a great start to what could be a very productive season for both players.
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Injury Report
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Guard Nick Gargiulo is on the PUP due to the knee injury he suffered last year and is expected to stay on there through the start of the year
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Linebacker Jordan Turner remained on the NFI list, and no reason for that has been given at this time.
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TE Caleb Lohner was the only active player not to practice today. He underwent offseason clean-up surgery on his knee and was expected to be back for the start of camp – Source
News and Notes
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QB Bo Nix participated in team drills for the first time since his broken ankle and looked sharp – Source
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WR Jaylen Waddle looks smooth and will be tough to cover throughout camp – Source
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WR Pat Bryant had a good day today and had multiple touchdowns during 7-on-7 period
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A light practice overall, so the updates are on the light side as well.
Tweets from Camp
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Quotes from Camp
HC Sean Payton on what features the new training facility has that some other NFL teams don’t have
“Good question. I think in the training room, if there’s science behind whatever the modality is, the cold plunge or… I think there are some things in there that are new and helpful in recovery and sleep. I said this yesterday in our first team meeting: don’t ever lose track of the facility and who’s in the facility. Who’s in the facility is the most important thing. There have been a ton of teams in fancy new gigs that haven’t been to the postseason in quite a while. Let’s not lose track of what’s in the facility. That facility there [across the fields] has won a ton of games, long before we ever arrived. This one, we’ll write its story. Certainly it’s fantastic, but I would say the first thing that would come to mind would be those items in recovery. It’s the same people preparing the meals, which I think are wonderful, and you’re just sitting in a newer booth. The meeting room set up is fantastic. All of it. But I think those specifics in the training room are unique. The also, sometimes I think with a new structure, you can further distance yourself and we’ve kind of done the opposite. I think it’s 50 steps from, if you’re a player, from wherever you’re wanting to go and I think that’s convenient.”
HC Sean Payton on how he addresses playing one-score games and getting better in the margins with the team
“There are not just the margins, where are these areas that, ‘Hey, let’s not kid ourselves. We have to improve in these specific areas.’ So the best way to get better in those one-score games is find your way not in as many, and I mean that. I don’t want to chase that whatever of 13 again. You’d like to not be in as many.”
HC Sean Payton on how he would define Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb‘s offensive philosophy
“He’s had great lineage. Sometimes you can’t control that, but his college coach, his high school background with his father, those are gifts. Then there’s his I.Q. I think it has come from a lot of great mentors and people, even in New York and Buffalo, that he worked with professionally. I’m sure in the back of his mind, even coming here, there are certain things he looked at and wanted to include. I like that. I think that’s a gift. Then there’s the ability and the talent. Those are things he does such a good job with.”
HC Sean Payton on if he believes this is one of his teams that he has coached that can win a Super Bowl
“Yeah, this is one of them. I think you have to play good defense to be one of those teams. You have to get good quarterback play. You have to be good on the offensive and defensive lines. You have to be well coached. I think we’re all of the above.”
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